Forever Man by Brian Matthews Read Free Book Online

liability to other employers. It was a memory he’d love to forget. “It still gives me trouble now and again.”
    Owens sipped at his drink. “You have my sympathies, sir.”
    “Anyway,” Gene said, wanting to change the subject. “Back to business. You’re okay with two nights a week? Hundred bucks plus tips?”
    Owens nodded. “I can’t afford to be picky.”
    “How long do you want the gig for?”
    “Can we try the next two weekends? Then see what happens from there.”
    “You want to leave this open ended?”
    “Spontaneity keeps me young.”
    “Spontaneity doesn’t pay the bills,” Gene returned. “I don’t see how you can survive on a hundred a week.”
    “I believe that’s my concern.”
    “I just don’t want you skipping out because you’ve run out of cash.”
    “I’ll be here,” Owens insisted. “I’m a man of my word.”
    Gene stared at the man, and then shrugged. “You’re the man with a guitar. You can start tonight.”
    The kitchen door swung open and Celeste Florin walked in. She was an attractive brunette with a slim figure. After waving hello to Gene, she glided up to Chet and gave him a friendly hug. “I know how you hate being kissed by pretty young women.” Then she planted a wet one on his cheek.
    He smiled and shooed her away. “You’re enough to give a man a heart attack.”
    Celeste grinned and stepped behind the bar. After tying an apron around her waist, she grabbed the rag Gene had been using to wipe down the bar and started on the tabletops.
    Chet’s face grew somber. He slipped his red-and-black checkered cap off his head and ran a hand over his balding pate. To Gene, he said, “You heard about what happened?”
    Gene shook his head. “Nope. Been here all day.”
    “You remember Denny Cain’s son, Jimmy? He was found dead up near the campgrounds.” Chet took a deep pull of his drink. “Heard it was an animal attack. He was all chewed up.”
    Gene couldn’t remember ever meeting Jimmy, but his father was another regular at the Lula. “That’s terrible.”
    “Yeah, I guess it was pretty gruesome.” He swirled the ice around in his glass. “Sometimes you see this kind of thing during hunting season. Some idiot with too much beer and too few deer gets lost in the woods. Ends up as bear bait.” He put his cap back on. “But those two were on a hiking trail and should’ve been fine.”
    Gene frowned. “He wasn’t alone?”
    “Nope.” Chet downed the rest of his drink and pushed the empty glass toward Gene. “Natalie Morris was with him. I guess they went to a dance together and then headed up to the campgrounds for a little fun.”
    “Fun?” Gene said, still frowning. He picked up a clean glass and dumped some ice into it. “On a hiking trail, in the dark?”
    “Ain’t saying I understand kids these days.”
    “What does Natalie have to say about it?”
    “She ain’t saying nuthin’. She’s missing.”
    Gene stopped pouring the bourbon. “Missing?”
    Chet nodded. “If she don’t show up, there’s gonna be a big search tomorrow. Izzy’s trying to get a bunch of people to help.” He looked sharply at Gene. “Say, ain’t you—?”
    “Natalie’s godfather,” Gene finished.
    “Aw shit, I’m sorry,” said Chet, his weathered face pink with embarrassment. “I shoulda told you right away.”
    “And this was last night?” asked Gene.
    “Yeah,” Chet said. “They been looking for her all morning.”
    An uneasy feeling grew in Gene. Why hadn't Stanley or Izzy called? He would have dropped everything to help. “Well, I’m sure they’ve found her by now.”
    “Yeah,” Chet repeated, though he sounded doubtful. “I’m sure you’re right.”
    Gene noticed that Owens’ glass was empty. Tapping the bar, he asked, “Get you another one, Mr. Owens?”
    “Huh?” Owens said, startled. “Oh, no thanks.”
    Gene gave him a curious look. “You okay?”
    “Just hungry, I guess. Is your cook any good?”
    “Best in the Upper, if